A LFC fan blog with analysis, opinion, news & ratings

Tag Archives: Sadio Mane

If this was probably a game in the 2016/17 season, or even last year, Liverpool would’ve probably dropped points. However Jurgen Klopp’s 2018/19 Reds are being talked about as title challengers to Pep Guardiola’s all conquering City, and they picked up an important win against a strong Palace side at Selhurst Park on Monday night. Klopp named an unchanged side, choosing to keep faith with the XI that had dismantled West Ham at Anfield on the opening weekend.

Crystal Palace had NEVER lost in 15 previous Premier League games when they had Sakho and Tomkins starting together. That record was broken by Liverpool, with goals from James Milner (another from the penalty spot) and Sadio Mane giving the visitors all three points.

(via Twitter)

Palace gave a good account of themselves in the first half and were unlucky not to go ahead when Andros Townsend’s fizzing shot from distance rattled the woodwork. They instead went behind after Mo Salah was brought down in the box (a controversial call as many thought he had dived). Up stepped Milner to convert the spot kick and Liverpool were 1-0 up at the break.

Liverpool didn’t make the game safe until the death when a breakaway move on the counter found Sadio Mane in space. Patrick van Aanholt did well to make up distance, but Mane somehow managed to evade both his and the opposition keeper’s attentions before slotting into an empty. 2-0 to LFC, and game, set and match.

Liverpool will be at home to Brighton on Saturday evening. The Seagulls stunned Manchester United at the Amex on Saturday.

Despite West Ham’s awful past record at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp would’ve been a tad worried ahead of this clash- the latter had spent almost £100m in the summer window, and in Manuel Pellegrini, had acquired a manager who was Premier League proven- the Chilean was Man City gaffer when they won the league title in 2014.

Most of those fears were unfounded as the Reds coasted to a 4-0 win at Anfield. They were electric in the first half, and took their foot off the pedal in the second, with the game over as a contest by the hour mark. Perhaps the best debut Alisson could’ve asked for in goal- he barely had a save?

How did Naby Keita perform?

Very, very well. He has the same jersey number as the legendary Steven Gerrard and showed enough to indicate he could be a club legend if he stays long enough.

Where did Liverpool play Keita?

Keita started on the left side of a three man midfield, with Wijnaldum in the cnetre and Milner on the right. When Sadio Mane was substituted, Keita moved ahead to play on the left side of Liverpool’s three pronged attack.

(via Twitter)

Check out Keita’s role in Liverpool’s first goal and the tactics they employed to get him into space.

Mane was equally impressive scoring twice (one of them was offside though!)

How did Joe Gomez go?

Gomez was chosen to partner Van Dijk in the absence of Lovren and Klavan, and gave a decent account of himself, shutting out Marko Arnautovic.

How did James Milner play?

Milner seems to be ageing like fine wine. He started the game as Liverpool captain, handing the band to Henderson when the latter came in. As a teenager with Leeds, Milner’s first game was against West Ham, and he thoroughly enjoyed himself against Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

As good an afternoon as Jurgen Klopp could’ve asked for. Salah with the opening goal, Mane with two, and Sturridge with the last, scoring with his first touch off the bench!

The seventh red card for Sadio Mane, and it wasn’t a happy return from international duty for the Senegalese as he got himself sent off v Liverpool with his side 1-0 down. Looking at the angles, you could perhaps sympathise with Mane a bit, but there was little Jon Moss could do but give him a red Continue reading →

Sadio Mane has been voted as Liverpool’s Players’ Player of the season for 2016/17. The Senegalese star beat off competition from Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino (who finished second and third respectively)

Liverpool’s top four hopes have been hit by the news that key player Sadio Mane will require surgery, ruling him out of the remainder of their campaign. Mane sustained the injury in their 3-1 derby win over Everton, a fixture in which he scored the club’s opening goal.

Liverpool were hampered by Mane’s absence during the Africa Cup of Nations and now face some serious challenges in the last two months, with the current absences of Lallana and Henderson adding to Jurgen Klopp’s woes.

Liverpool are currently third in the league, but fourth place Man City are just two points behind the Reds with a game in hand. Arsenal and Man Utd are both six points behind the Reds, but have TWO games in hand. Continue reading →